How to increase the reception of the WiFi signal?

In today’s world it is important that WiFi signal reaches every corner of the home not only to keep the smartphone connected even if it is moved from one side to the other, but especially to keep several network devices such as TV, IP camera or other “smart” devices.

Depending on the layout of an environment, how the building and furnishings are built, the signal may be more or less weak or absent if the router is distant or if there are interferences.

While up to some time ago it was more complicated to increase the WiFi signal reception, today it’s just not enough to make uniform WiFi network coverage within an apartment, office or any environment, by purchasing a 20dollars self-installing “extender” repeater device and very easy to use.

If you want to make a straightforward overview of what you can do to increase WiFi reception, we divide the guide into 6 base points …

1) Location of the Router

If the router is too distant from a location where we need to connect to the internet via WiFi, the first option is to move it to a more convenient location center and approach it.

Regarding the location of the router, it is important that it has space around it, not enclosed in a mobile or between two walls (not in a corner) that is not grounded (taller, better) and not either near sources of interference such as cordless or microwave.

If your router has external antennas, you can point it to the directions where you want to have more signal spread.

2) Configuring the router on the less used wireless channel

A WiFi network works on the frequency channels that are automatically selected by the router.

However, you can change the channel manually if this can help limit interference.

The principle is that if there are too many networks on the same channel (the WiFi of the neighbors) then the interferences are higher.

To change the channel, you must find its option in the router configuration panel.

Changing the WiFi channel is an important option only for 2.4GHz WiFi networks, not for 5GHz networks.

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3) Use 5 GHz networks

On all new commercial routers, you can activate two WiFi networks, one at 2.4 Ghz, one at 5 Ghz.

In summary, the differences between Wi-Fi networks 2.4GHz and 5GHz are that the 5GHz band is less congested, it never interferes and is faster, while the 2.4GHz band gets better on the distance and it better penetrates obstacles such as glass and walls.

Ideally, it would be preferable to 5, although it is also necessary to keep 2.4 in active so that it can cover more.

4) Buy a WiFi repeater

The WiFi repeater is the easiest solution there is to improve signal reception in an environment as large as a villa or to have a full signal at any point in the home even if the router is placed in peripheral location.

The WiFi repeater is nothing but a device to connect to the power grid at a point far from the router, but where the signal is getting good.

The configuration is almost automatic and only requires the configuration panel to access the main router WiFi network (following the instructions in the box).

If you want to spend more and in the case of special needs, there are more expensive models, ranging from 60 up to more than 100 dollars, to WiFi repeaters with greater power and, therefore, with greater wireless signal extension.

5) Buying a Powerline

Another type of WiFi extender is the powerplug that works by bringing the network from one room to another through the power grid.

In practice, you buy a pair of devices, one that connects to the router with a network cable (or WiFi), the other instead brings the network signal to another room.

6) Buy a new router

Whoever has an old router or one of those received in a commodity or if you have bought an economic router, can improve signal reception in an environment by buying a new router.

Loc5097

The author is an expert on occupational training and a prolific writer who writes extensively on Business, technology, and education. He can be contacted for professional advice in matters related with occupation and training on his blog Communal Business and Your Business Magazine.